I never got to meet my grandfather, but Mommy tells me that he was a great guy, with a good sense of humor and a huge heart. He was the good samaritan who would stop on the side of the road to help people. He would pick up garbage in a park. He was a leader in his community, at neighborhood board meetings, at hurricane shelters, as president of the Mau Club, and as a humble manager of Ala Moana and Kapiolani Park. Even the homeless befriended him because he was such a thoughtful, kind person. He was a loving father, who wanted only the best for his children.
He was an active outdoorsman his whole life. He loved golf, kayaking, fishing, and of course he was the jock in the family, playing volleyball, basketball, softball, track, etc. his whole life. He was diagnosed with ALS in November 2004. He was wheelchair bound by Spring 2005. He needed assistance eating, breathing, toileting, and bathing. He did not want to go on a feeding tube or a ventilator. He died of respiratory failure in April 2007. He was 59 years old. Although it was hard to watch him lose his ability to walk, eat, and talk, Mommy cherished the two years she spent caregiving for him.
Grandpa missed my arrival by two months. His spirit continues to live on in us, and we continue to support and help those families in need that struggle daily with this terrible, debilitating disease.
* Please help us if you can! We are looking for entertainment for our July 4th BBQ at Keehi Lagoon, and donations of any kind to help make this important fundraiser successful. My dad passed away from ALS (Lou Gherig's Disease) 2 years ago. There is still no cure for this dreadful disease which affects not only the person with ALS, but the caregivers and family members as well. Come out and support us on July 4th!
*** Purchase a raffle ticket at $5 apiece and, if you come to Keehi Lagoon for the BBQ, you will get a hot dog/hamburger and drink. ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO ALS TDI for ALS research. http://www.als.net/
Mahalo! ...Tanya**
Below is a letter written by Vi-Jones Medusky, a former nurse, ultra distance runner, and triathalete, who is living with ALS.
Dearest Friends,
Every 90 minutes, someone is told that they have ALS. Without an effective treatment, an ALS diagnosis is a virtual death sentence for thousands of Americans each year – you can help change that.
My name is Vi Jones-Medusky. I have ALS, the same illness which ended Lou Gehrig’s spectacular baseball career. Like Lou Gehrig’s career, mine as an RN and those of my friends in the Hawaii ALS Support Group and Ohana (HALSSGO), have been terminated. We at HALSSGO, are determined to find a cure for this terrible disease.
In commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Lou Gehrig’s retirement from baseball, we will be hosting a BBQ and softball game as part of the partnership between Major League Baseball and ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI), the world’s largest research center for the cure of ALS. As part of this project, 100’s of BBQs 4 ALS will be held nationwide on July 4th to raise awareness and fund research for ALS. Our BBQ will be held at Keehi Lagoon from 11:00am to 4:00pm and will include a softball game, food, entertainment, raffle and country store.
By participating in the event, you would be celebrating Lou Gehrig, for whom the disease has been named (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), and every ALS patient affected, past and present. In this regard, we would like to ask if you would be able to donate items we may use for prizes. Any donated contribution would be greatly appreciated. You will receive special recognition during our fundraising event and information from ALS TDI on how to claim any potential tax reduction.
ALS TDI is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization, whose sole mission is to develop effective treatments as quickly as possible to slow and stop ALS. Over 87% of each dollar raised goes directly to research. For more information on the institute or the state of ALS research, please visit www.als.net.
We are deeply grateful for your kindness and look forward to any way you may be able to help. For more information or to arrange for pickup, please call Vi Jones-Medusky at (808) 256-9607.
With appreciation,
Vi Jones-Medusky
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